Daily Catholic Lectio
Mon, 19 August 2024
Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time – Monday
Ezekiel 24:15-24. Matthew 19:16-22
Two types of eternal life
A young man comes to Jesus with a question: ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ His question inspires us in three ways: (a) The young man knew what he wanted in life; (b) His aspiration was higher; and (c) He knew where to seek the answer to his question.
Jesus proposes two types of eternal life when answering the question:
(a) Through the observance of the commandments
At the outset, Jesus instructs the young man to observe the commandments; he points to the commandments that speak of love of neighbour. These commandments regulate our present lives so that we may experience peace, joy, and serenity when we observe them.
(b) Through renunciation of wealth
In the second stage, Jesus, speaking about ‘being perfect’, proposes that the young man sell everything that he has and renounce them totally. Being ‘full’ means being ‘empty.’ Renunciation is accompanied by discipleship. A disciple is someone who is able to ‘let go.’
The young man, instead of following Jesus, ‘went his way sad’ because the challenge was too difficult to take. He, who came half way, could not make it to the full.
In the first reading, the Lord God gives the people of Israel through Prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s wife dies, and Ezekiel is asked not to mourn for the dead person. The message is communicated that whatever gives pleasure to us will be taken away from us one day, and we will have no time to mourn.
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A pilgrim of hope is ready to renounce. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 176)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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